Role model at the age of 22

Höll: “The most important thing is to be authentic”

Received a necklace with her name: Valentina "Vali" Höll.(Bild: Saalbach.com/Markus Landauer)

At just 22 years old, Valentina Höll is already a role model for many children. The downhill dominator spoke to "Krone" about this role, how her years in the sport have made her more mature and what she would like to do for the next generation. 

At 22, Valentina Höll is at an age where she still has role models and looks up to them. But the cyclist has actually already become a role model herself and casts a spell over many children. On Friday evening, the downhill dominator was celebrated for her successes in the 2024 season. They are quite something: Höll won the overall World Cup for the third time and her third World Championship title in a row. Titles that make her the most successful Saalbach athlete of all time. 

Nevertheless, she says sheepishly: "I haven't quite understood why people want autographs from me, are fans, send me messages or even send pictures home. But I'm really happy about it." Just like when a young fan proudly hands her a picture he took himself. 

Valentina Höll spoke to the "Krone" as part of her end-of-season party.(Bild: Saalbach.com/Markus Landauer)

How does she live her role as a role model? "The most important thing is to be authentic. I used to be very introverted. Now I've become much more open," says Höll, who also sees personal changes. And she has matured anyway, for example when it comes to dealing with botched races. "I'm only annoyed for two days rather than a week," says the 22-year-old with a twinkle in her eye. 

Active for the next generation
In addition to her career as an athlete, which she would like to pursue for at least another three years ("I still have a contract for that long"), she also wants to do something for the next generation. She is planning to relaunch her own camp for children. "That doesn't happen in downhill, that pros do something with kids. If that had existed when I was a child, I would have gone everywhere for it," Höll looks back and says: "If I'm a motivation for kids, I'm happy to take it with me!"